Boldness, Aggression, and Shoaling Assays for Zebrafish Behavioral Syndromes.

A behavioral syndrome exists when specific behaviors interact under different contexts. Zebrafish have been test subjects in recent studies and it is important to standardize protocols to ensure proper analyses and interpretations. In our previous studies, we have measured boldness by monitoring a series of behaviors (time near surface, latency in transitions, number of transitions, and darts) in a 1.

Interactions between aggression, boldness and shoaling within a brood of convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciatus).

A behavioral syndrome is considered present when individuals consistently express correlated behaviors across two or more axes of behavior. These axes of behavior are shy-bold, exploration-avoidance, activity, aggression, and sociability. In this study we examined aggression, boldness and sociability (shoaling) within a juvenile convict cichlid brood (Amatitlania nigrofasciatus).

A comparison of methodologies to test aggression in zebrafish.

Aggression is a psychological construct that is commonly used to classify zebrafish behavior. Aggression is a complex trait that can be difficult to accurately measure. The literature on fish behavior describes many different methodologies to examine aggression, which, we believe, have not been compared in a formal manner.

Sex differences in a shoaling-boldness behavioral syndrome, but no link with aggression.

A behavioral syndrome is observed in a population when specific behaviors overlap at the individual level in different contexts. Here, we explore boldness and aggression personality spectra, the repeatability of shoaling, and possible associated correlations between the behaviors in a population of lab-reared zebrafish (Danio rerio). Our findings describe a sex-specific boldness-shoaling behavioral syndrome, as a link between boldness and shoaling behaviors is detected.

Shoaling preferences and the effects of sex ratio on spawning and aggression in small laboratory populations of zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Owing to a lack of basic information on the biology of zebrafish (Danio rerio), lab managers must often base decisions regarding the care and use of this species on anecdotal information. In an effort to provide researchers with context-specific behavioral information, the authors evaluated shoaling and spawning behaviors in small groups of zebrafish. In each shoaling assay, a fish was given a choice to shoal with either a single fish or a group of three fish.

Methodologies for the care, maintenance, and breeding of tropical poison frogs.

The Biodiversity Laboratories at Saint Joseph's University house more than 100 exotic and endangered animal species-including insects, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Research in the laboratories is devoted, primarily, to understanding the genetic and ecological bases of animal behavior. In addition, a common theme of the work is the development of techniques for the successful care of exotic animals within a laboratory setting.

Mutations in raised Drosophila melanogaster affect experience-dependent aspects of sexual behavior in both sexes.

Many aspects of the reproductive behavior of Drosophila melanogaster are modified dramatically by experience and age. Males' courtship of immature males and fertilized females decreases over time. Females' receptivity to copulation, and the behaviors that females perform and elicit, are affected by their age and sexual experience.

CHEMICAL COMMUNICATION IN HAWAIIAN DROSOPHILA.

We are interested in elucidating the extent to which lekking Hawaiian Drosophila species have diverged from their continental counterparts, which engage in sexual behavior at communal food sources, with regard to the chemical communication systems that the flies employ. Accordingly, we have analyzed flies from three closely related Hawaiian Drosophila species in the adiastola subgroup. These species are of interest because the males engage in a unique behavior: while courting, they raise their abdomens over their heads and emit anal droplets.

INCOMPLETE BEHAVIORAL ISOLATION BETWEEN TWO DISTANTLY RELATED DROSOPHILA SPECIES.

Two sympatric, distantly related Drosophila species, D. affinis and D. melanogaster, interact sexually in the laboratory and in the field.